Liquor Licenses

Liquor licensing requires two-fold approval, which is initiated at the local level and is submitted for state review and approval once local approval is granted. Two tests must be met to qualify as the holder of a liquor license.

First is the good moral character of the applicant, which is proven through fingerprinting and background investigations, conducted at the local, state, and federal levels. The second is the needs and desires of the designated neighborhood, which is proven by the circulation of petitions.

Local and state application forms are available in the clerk's office, and it takes approximately 90 days from the date of completing application to gain local and state review and approval. Fees vary depending on the class of license sought. Liquor licenses are issued for a twelve-month period beginning of the day of issuance of the state license.